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14 Times When Kerala Communist Govt. Meddled In Temple Affairs

By
The Commune
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kerala communist govt temple

Kerala has been in the news lately for quite a few things – be it the Global Ayyappa Summit or the missing gold sheets that were taken from the Sabarimala temple without permission to Chennai.

In this report, we will take a look at 14 major incidents from 2019 to 2025 which shows persistent and systematic interference by the Kerala government in the administration and traditions of Hindu temples across the state. Despite repeated demands from devotees and Hindu groups for greater autonomy, the government has defended its control, claiming it is necessary for temple revival.

#1 CM Pinarayi Vijayan Rejects Devotee Administration Handover

In September 2025, at the Global Ayyappa Summit in Pamba, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan firmly rejected demands to return temple administration to devotees. Defending the current system, he stated that government control via the Devaswom Boards was essential for reviving temples. This stance was seen by critics as a direct dismissal of long-standing calls from the Hindu community for autonomy, reinforcing the perception that temples are kept under political control for non-religious purposes.

#2 Sabarimala Gold Scandal Probe Stalled

In September 2025, the Travancore Devaswom Board faced fresh outrage over allegations of missing temple gold. Ornaments sent for remodelling in 2022 were reportedly returned lighter, with claims that up to 90 kg of gold was unaccounted for. Critics allege that the Crime Branch investigation, under the Chief Minister’s purview, has been deliberately stalled, pointing to a potential political cover-up. Devotees accused the CPI(M)-controlled board of misusing Sabarimala’s substantial annual income and turning faith into a business.

#3 Communist Govt Conducts ‘Global Ayyappa Sangamam’, Draws Flak

In September 2025, the CPI(M)-led government organized a ₹4 crore Global Ayyappa Sangamam event through the Devaswom Board. While projected as a global pilgrimage meet, opposition parties labelled it an election gimmick to regain Hindu voter support after the contentious 2018 Sabarimala issue. The event was boycotted by the Pandalam royal family, with critics asserting that the government was once again using faith as a political tool rather than focusing on genuine devotional aspects.

#4 Accusations of Commercializing Ayyappa Sangam

Again, in September 2025, the Bharatheeya Vichara Kendram strongly criticized the Kerala government for allegedly using the Ayyappa Sangam event for political and commercial gains instead of fostering devotion. The group accused the state of mismanaging Sabarimala affairs, lacking transparency in temple finances, and interfering in religious traditions. They warned that such actions were undermining the sanctity of the holy site, transforming it into a commercial hub for non-devotional purposes.

#5 Ban on Political Flags in Temple Premises

In September 2025, the Kerala government’s Devaswom Department issued an order prohibiting political flags, pictures, and publicity materials inside all temple compounds under its control. While presented as a regulatory measure, the move was interpreted by many as direct government intrusion into temple management. Critics argued that it reinforced state control over sacred spaces, limiting the expression of devotees and traditional practices associated with temple festivals.

#6 Devotee Backlash Over Global Ayyappa Event

In September 2025, the government’s plan to host a “Global Ayyappa Sangamam” was met with significant criticism from devotees and Hindu groups, who perceived it as political interference. In protest, the Sabarimala Karma Samithi announced a parallel “Sabarimala Samrakshana Sangamam” in Pandalam to defend the temple’s customs. This opposition highlighted a deep-seated mistrust, with devotees arguing that the state was dividing worshippers and undermining the temple’s spiritual autonomy for political spectacle.

#7 Push to Open Padmanabhaswamy Temple Vault-B

In August 2025, during a governing body meeting for the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the Kerala government’s representative pressed for a decision to open the sacred Vault-B. This move was opposed by the Travancore royal family and the temple’s tantri (head priest), who consider the vault inviolable. Devotees saw the government’s push as a severe disregard for centuries-old traditions and the sentiments of millions, representing unwarranted state interference in one of India’s most revered temples.

#8 CPI(M) Party Songs Played at Temple Festival

In March 2025, a controversy erupted at the Kadakkal Devi Temple in Kollam when songs associated with the CPI(M)’s youth wing, DYFI, were played during a musical program at the Thiruvathira festival. The presence of party symbols sparked accusations of politicizing a religious event. While the festival committee claimed the songs were audience requests, the Travancore Devaswom Board sought a report, and opposition leaders condemned the incident as an “arrogant misuse of power.”

#9 Restrictions on Sabarimala Pilgrim Numbers

In October 2024, the Kerala government’s decision to limit daily pilgrim entry to Sabarimala to 80,000 and mandate an online queue system triggered widespread protests. Devotees argued that these restrictions unfairly impacted those traveling long distances and represented excessive government control over temple access. The move was perceived as unnecessary interference that disrupted the traditional practice of free darshan (holy viewing), further straining the relationship between the administration and the worshipping community.

#10 Police Demand Removal of Saffron Buntings

In February 2023, at the Vellayani Bhadrakali Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Police officials ordered the temple committee to remove traditional saffron buntings ahead of the triennial Kaliyootu Mahotsavam, citing vague law-and-order concerns. The verbal demand, made without a written order, was met with resistance from devotees who viewed it as an assault on their age-old customs. The incident was seen as another example of authorities harassing temples and interfering in their religious expressions.

#11 Forcible Takeover of Mattannur Temple

In October 2021, the CPI(M)-controlled Malabar Devaswom Board forcibly took over the Mattannur Mahadeva Temple in Kannur amidst protests, including attempts at self-immolation by devotees. Officials broke the temple lock, citing a court order that deemed the temple government property. The Board President’s statement that temples are “public” while churches and mosques are “private” sparked accusations of discriminatory treatment of Hindu religious institutions, with many labelling the takeover as politically motivated interference.

#12 Court Rules Temple Donation to CMDRF Illegal

In December 2020, the Kerala High Court struck down the Guruvayur Devaswom Committee’s decision to divert ₹5 crore from temple funds to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF). The court ruled that the temple’s wealth belongs solely to the deity and cannot be used for government purposes. The judgment was a significant indictment of the state’s attempts to misuse temple funds, highlighting a pattern of diverting religious donations for secular government projects.

#13 Widespread Allegations of Corruption in Devaswoms

In November 2019, a report highlighted allegations of systemic corruption, political misuse, and mismanagement against the Devaswom Boards that control over 3,000 temples in Kerala. Accusations included financial theft, sex scandals, and the appointment of non-Hindus to management roles. Critics argued that temple funds were being diverted to non-religious projects, sidelining devotees and priests, and causing lasting damage to the sanctity and financial health of these institutions under political control.

#14 Government’s Firm Stance on Sabarimala Entry

In August 2019, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reaffirmed his government’s commitment to enforcing the Supreme Court’s order allowing women of all ages to enter the Sabarimala temple, despite massive protests. The LDF government’s stance was widely perceived as insensitive interference in core temple traditions, leading to widespread unrest. The incident became a major political flashpoint and was cited as a key factor in the ruling party’s poor performance in the subsequent parliamentary elections.

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“Reviewers Are A Bigger Threat Than Piracy”: DMK Stooge Dravidoid Director Prem Kumar Blames Film Critics For Underwhelming Theatrical Run Of Overrated Film “Meiyazhagan”

By
The Commune
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Meiyazhagan Film Director Justifies Placing Anti-Hindu EVR & Hindu God Murugan On Same Pedestal

Director Premkumar has launched a stringent critique against a section of film reviewers, whom he holds responsible for creating a toxic environment that hinders the success of Tamil films, specifically citing the reception of his own film, Meiyazhagan.

The same director justified showing portraits of EV Ramasamy Naicker (hailed as ‘Periyar’ by his followers) and Hindu God Murugan in the same frame, saying that Tamil people celebrate EVR as much as Murugan.

“Tamil people are like that. As much as we go to a Murugan Temple, we celebrate Periyar too. He is literally like a clan deity for us. Because if he had not fought, I’m not sure if we would’ve got this much rights. A few were there before and after, but the impact that he gave is almost in our genes. Even to this generation, he’s relevant as youngsters proudly wear t-shirts that say ‘I’m Periyar’s grandson’. We should venerate him.“, the Dravidianist director said.

In a recent conversation with critic Baradwaj Rangan, Premkumar delineated between genuine cinephiles and what he termed “mainstream reviewers,” accusing the latter of incompetence, personal agendas, and damaging negativity.

The Core Accusation: Reviewers as a “Bottleneck”

Premkumar’s central argument is that reviewers have become a significant obstruction between a film and its audience, more damaging than traditional threats like piracy. He asserts that while audiences on OTT platforms watch films “objectively and with taste and interest,” the theatrical experience is spoiled by these intermediaries.

“Their only aim is to say something or the other to bring down the film. They have other agenda also,” he stated. He expressed his frustration at having to “escape the bottleneck that they create” for a film to find its audience, which often only happens after its OTT release.

On ‘Targeting’ Meiyazhagan and Tamil Industry Bias

Premkumar provided a specific example of this bias with the response to his Tamil film, Meiyazhagan. He revealed that several reviewers criticized the film not on its cinematic merits, but for not being made in Malayalam, a sentiment he found deeply disheartening.

“What they said is that you should have made it (Meiyazhagan) in Malayalam. People here celebrate films from other states. Many people scolded me for making it a Tamil film. I felt very sad,” he said. This, to him, highlighted a parochial bias where Tamil reviewers are quicker to celebrate content from other industries while undermining local productions. He perceives this as a major reason for the underperformance of certain Tamil films, which might find appreciation elsewhere.

Questioning Reviewer Credibility and Motives

Premkumar questioned the qualifications and motives of these critics, suggesting that their negativity stems from personal failure. “Maybe these people tried to get into cinema and couldn’t flourish there and came here, so is that causing a problem? Or whether they are arrogant about deciding the ‘weight of the cinema’?”

He dismissed the argument that reviewers speak from a “layman’s perspective” as “wrong,” retorting, “Who are you to decide? Leave it to the audience.” He illustrated his point with examples of what he considers absurd critiques, such as a reviewer questioning the ease of nurturing a parrot depicted in a film. “They said in the review that raising a parrot caused someone to vacate their home!”

A Culture of “Legalized Negativity”

The director described the tone of such reviews as “very uncivilized” and derogatory, citing a review for his highly acclaimed film 96 that attacked a senior director. He labeled this pervasive attitude a “mental illness.”

“Negativity has been legalized inside them. That has become a way of life for them. You can’t even talk to them, they will answer you with the same negativity,” he argued. He also criticized the common practice of labeling films a “one-time watch,” asking, “They say you can watch it once, how can you say that? How do you decide?”

Premkumar ended with a warning about the long-term consequences of this environment. He contrasted the supportive ecosystems of the Malayalam and Telugu industries with the scattered and negative atmosphere in Tamil cinema.

“Many people have started making films in other languages, leaving Tamil – they are not able to handle this negativity,” he said, indicating a brain drain of talent. He placed the ultimate responsibility on the audience, whom he feels are being misled. “If you keep betraying us, how will we make good films? You won’t get; you don’t deserve it.”

He concluded with an analogy, comparing the late appreciation for films to a village saying: “you didnt give a glass of water to them when they were alive but now come to give milk (ritual) dead. The audience has to be responsible; they don’t have any other go.” For Premkumar, the damage is done when the film is in theaters, and late praise on OTT is a hollow victory.

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Kalviyil ‘Cinema’ Tamil Nadu: A Tone-Deaf Dravidianist Cringe Fest Where DMK Stooge Film Personalities Assembled To Sing Paeans For Stalin And His Son Using Poor Children & Teachers As Props

By
The Commune
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The DMK government’s latest showpiece event, ‘Kalviyil Sirantha Tamil Nadu’ (Tamil Nadu That Excels In Education), held on 25 September 2025 in Chennai, has come under widespread criticism for functioning less as a serious policy discussion on education and more as a glorified publicity campaign ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. What was ostensibly an event to highlight educational progress in the state instead turned into a stage-managed performance dominated by film personalities singing lavish praise on the Chief Minister and promoting Dravidian ideological talking points with not a single academic, educator, or policy expert in sight.

While the event was positioned as a celebration of schemes like the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme, Naan Mudhalvan, and Pudhumai Penn–Tamil Pudhalvan, the reality was far removed from genuine discourse. The lineup featured actors and directors such as DMK stooge filmmaker Vetrimaaran, Hate-Peddling Dravidianist director TJ Gnanavel, Sivakarthikeyan, Mysskin, and Thiagarajan Kumararaja, alongside Education Minister Anbil Mahesh, Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, and Telangana CM Revanth Reddy. The event was less about policy, and more about theatrics.

Performative Praise And Manufactured Sentiment

The tone-deaf extravagance peaked with television host Dhivyadharshini (DD), whose performance bordered on parody. In a cringe-inducing segment, DD gushed over the quality of sambar served as part of the Breakfast Scheme, like it was a food from Tamil Nadu’s popular restaurant chain. Her exaggerated delight complete with dramatic expressions and staged spoonfuls of sambar offered to ministers seemed especially hollow when contrasted with frequent reports of poor food quality in government schools.

One cook who spoke at the event claimed, “I’m the cook at the school. All three of my kids study there. For Pongal items, at home, we only use whatever vegetables we have. But at the school, it’s not like that. The government gives me all the supplies, so I can cook everything properly without any shortages. You’d like to taste it?”

Responding enthusiastically, Dhivyadharshini exclaimed, “Is there any? Please give me some, ma’am. Oh my! I never expected to get such a delicious sambar at this event. Come, ma’am. Let’s try it. Come here. Come to the center. So, is the sambar good? I hope I don’t faint. How is this morning breakfast sambar?”

Some of the students chimed in with excitement, saying, “It will be super.” To that, Dhivyadharshini reacted, “One is saying it will be like wedding sambar!” At this point, another woman interjected to add, “We serve sambar five days a week at the school.”

Dhivyadharshini appeared surprised and asked, “What? do you make sambar five days a week at the school?”

The woman replied, “We serve sambar five days a week at the school. We make it for every dish. We have to make sambar for the children. At home, we might only make it once, but at school, we make it every day.” Another woman joined in to say, “Even those who used to dislike sambar have started eating it with great fondness. We make sambar all five days, and they never get tired of it, ma’am.”

Overwhelmed with joy, Dhivyadharshini said, “Ma’am, you’ve said so much, I have to taste this sambar,” and then made an overly dramatic expression of delight while eating it, adding, “Oh my goodness! The sambar is genuinely amazing! Ma’am, keep this hand that you used to cook, ma’am. This is for you (kissed), and this is for our CM. Sir, if you make a sambar like this, I’ll go back to primary school and study again. It’s that good. Is there any guest who would like to taste it? The Minister is here. Sir, would you like to taste it? We’re down here, would you like to come up? Please come up, sir. Mathiventhan is our honorable minister. Come, sir. Please try it. It would make you happy to try it. Yes, sir, for now, the sambar is all…”

It was an awkward spectacle sentimentality without substance. When the minister sampled the food, he simply said, “Super, oh super!” to which Dhivyadharshini playfully added, “We give him one spoon, but the minister is eating two spoons. Thank you sir.”

Despite the staged excitement, such moments only served to expose the theatrical nature of the event. With consistent reports of poor food quality including viral videos of students finding insects and lizards in their meals this media-driven PR spectacle felt disconnected from the actual conditions on the ground.

Star Power, But No Substance

The presence of film directors only reinforced the event’s PR-heavy agenda. C. Prem Kumar, for instance, quoted proverbs about learning and praised the CM’s call to “just study,” drawing comparisons between studying and self-respect.

Mediocre film ‘Meiyazhagan’ Director C Prem Kumar said, “I feel proud and I want to express my thanks. When we were of studying age, there was a proverb that was often recited, ‘Karkai Nandrē, Karkai Nandrē, Pichchai Puginum Karkai Nandrē’ (Learning is good, learning is good, learning is good even if one has to beg for it). They used to say that one must study, even if it means begging, because Tamil Nadu is a state renowned not just for rationalism but also for its literacy and educational heritage. So, we view education with such high regard it’s almost equal to self-respect. But today, we saw a message from our Chief Minister, Mr. Stalin Sir, in a video. He said, ‘Study, study, study. Just focus on your studies. I will take care of everything else.’ When anyone says words like these, we feel very encouraged. When the Chief Minister of our state says it, the importance of it is deeply understood. They are making all the necessary arrangements for this. Studying will be the only duty of the students. I am very proud of this, and thank you very much for giving me this opportunity.”

Another Dravidianist propaganda filmmaker TJ Gnanavel, known for peddling hate against Vanniyars and Brahmins in Jai Bhim, praised that the state’s education policies would have generational impact comparing the Breakfast Scheme to Kamarajar’s historic Midday Meal Schemes

He said, “Education is a matter with a very long-term vision. No one other than the government can provide it to the common people. Regardless of the era, if education is to fully reach the poor and downtrodden, it can only be accomplished by the government.

No matter what private organizations or private institutions do, the scale at which a government effort reaches the people is unmatched by anyone else. In that sense, a matter of great pride is that we can say it is Tamil Nadu that has sufficient and complete awareness about education, not just in South India, but across India itself. It has a half-century history. This didn’t happen easily. But today, the importance of education, starting from the time of Kamarajar up until the current period of our Chief Minister, has consistently been a key priority for all chief ministers. The Breakfast Scheme, the Naan Mudhalvan Scheme, the Pudhumai Penn Scheme, all these current programs are not just schemes; they are powerful programs capable of moving the next generation toward a beautiful and bright future.

Specifically, I truly believe that the Breakfast Scheme, similar to how Kamarajar’s Midday Meal Scheme brought about a huge change in education, will bring about a similar transformation. Why? Because the full impact of this scheme will only be understood ten years from now. It is not for today; it has been initiated today. When we look back at this scheme 10 to 15 years from now, I believe a similar phenomenon will occur with the Breakfast Scheme, just as people today say, ‘I was educated because of the Midday Meal Scheme started by Kamarajar.’ My heartfelt congratulations to the Tamil Nadu government for always taking the lead on good initiatives concerning education.”

DMK stooge Vetrimaaran as usual peddled his rhetoric against the Centre saying there is a systemic attempt to snatch education from people’s hands and sang paeans to the DMK government for resisting the same systematically.

“There are people who are working for us to not reach there. But we’ll go there and the attempt to do it is very grateful. We’ve to be thankful to (DMK govt) like the students….“, Vetrimaaran kept yapping.

But the most politically charged remarks came from Director Thiagarajan Kumararaja, who used his platform not to evaluate educational progress, but to advance an Aryan-Dravidian conflict narrative, drawing from ancient myths and caste-based grievances to paint a picture of historical educational suppression.

He also suggesting that central government policies are designed to prevent social mobility among the marginalized. His speech was a sweeping generalization, lumping everyone from Dronacharya and Kripacharya to Rajagopalachari into a lineage of Brahminical gatekeepers of education. He praised the DMK government as liberators, arguing that every scheme from bicycles to laptops was proof of their commitment to upliftment. While such rhetoric may appeal to the DMK’s ideological base, it reduces the complex issue of education to a binary us-versus-them framework, leaving no room for critical engagement or policy debate.

He said, “A Pandyan king wrote a poem about education 2,000 years ago. Mr. Balakrishnan has spoken about it in many places. The last four lines are very important, “Vetrumai porunthiya naarpaal ullum, Keelpal oruvan karpin melpal oruvanum avan kan padume.” (Even among the four castes, if a person from a lower caste learns, a person from a higher caste will seek him out)

Education has two qualities. One quality is what he is talking about now, if a person from a lower class gets an education, it will force a person from a higher class to respect and associate with them. This is the first reason. The second thing… What does education do is… mentioned in a song from the book Viveka Chintamani, “It cannot be taken by flood, nor burned by fire, nor taken by kings. It will not decrease when given.”

Why do we study? We study to get a good job, earn money, and take care of our family, parents, and children. If I give away one crore rupees to someone, they can live happily, but I will no longer have that one crore. But with education, when we earn money, the knowledge keeps me wise and also makes the receiver wise. The knowledge I have reaches them and makes them my equal or elevates me to their level. This is why from ancient times until now, people have been prevented from getting an education. This is a very, very important point. We must think about why we, who were so educated, lost our education in the middle.

There are two ideologies regarding education. One is the Dravidian ideology that everyone should be educated, and everyone should be intelligent. From the time of the Pandyan Neduncheliyan to the Bharathiyar in the last century, he also said, “Even though you build a thousand inns and a thousand temples…” and at the end of it he said that a greater virtue, a crore times greater, is to provide education to a poor person. Such a virtuous act is providing education. Now, what happened with the Aryan ideology? A boy who wanted to learn went to a teacher and asked to be taught, but he was asked what caste he belonged to and was refused. But when he taught himself archery and stood before him, the teacher took his thumb. When Karna wanted to learn from him, he asked Karna what caste he was and sent him away. When Karna asked Kripacharya, he lied and said he was from a high-class family to learn from him, but when Kripacharya found out he wasn’t, he cursed him, saying all the knowledge he learned would leave him one day, and he took it away from him.

From Dronacharya and Kripacharya to Rajagopalachariar, they have been preventing us from getting an education. But against this ideology, which says there should not be equality, a party and an ideology that says there should be social justice and equality is in power, and they are putting in place as many schemes as possible to make sure everyone gets an education. They provide morning meals, and there are programs like Naan Mudhalvan and Tamil Pudhalvan. They have a series of schemes to make sure everyone gets an education. They even provide laptops and bicycles to people for free. They want you to get an education and rise up. To prevent this, just as they asked for the thumb and cursed Karna with amnesia, they have now brought in a new education policy to stop you from studying. And because we said we would not accept this, they are refusing to give us the 2150 crores that are rightfully ours.

Now, when a party that we disagree with politically is in power at the union, the Chief Minister has worked hard to save the people of Tamil Nadu, like someone who has been thrown into water with their hands and legs tied yet still manages to swim and save others. I express my heartfelt thanks to this Chief Minister. Thank you.”

A Political Campaign in the Garb of Governance?

With film stars and celebrity hosts stealing the spotlight, poor children and teachers stood as mere props to milk their tragedy and emotions which was misconstrued for the DMK’s ideological posturing.

What remained was a shameless love-fest for the DMK’s first family, scripted and choreographed to perfection.

The fawning, the theatrics, and the shameless propaganda would give even North Korea a run for their money in staging over-the-top spectacles of blind devotion.

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“You Make One Film And Think Yourself As Intellectual, You’re Just A Film Director, That’s All”: Seeman Takes A Dig At ‘Lubber Pandhu’ Director Over His Remarks On Education At DMK’s ‘Kalviyil Sirantha Tamil Nadu’ Event

By
The Commune
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seeman lubber pandhu

Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) chief Seeman has quipped with sarcasm to comments made by debut filmmaker Tamizharasan Pachamuthu, director of Lubber Pandhu, who spoke only education is the way to success during the ‘Kalviyil Sirantha Tamil Nadu’ (Tamil Nadu that Excels in Education) event held in Chennai on 25 September 2025.

Tamizharasan, speaking at the DMK government-organised event, urged young people not to be misled by exceptions to the rule, such as celebrities who found success without formal education. “We should always stand for education. They would say, ‘Did Sachin Tendulkar study? Did Ilaiyaraaja study? Did Rahman study?’ Many people will say this—don’t believe them. The number of people who succeeded that way is maybe 100. But the number of people who succeeded because they studied is enormous. You should follow that. An exception can never be a example.” he said.

Reacting sharply to these comments, Seeman mocked the filmmaker, suggesting that directing a single film doesn’t make someone an authority on life advice or public policy.

“They’re asking, ‘Did Ilaiyaraaja study? Did Sachin Tendulkar study? Did Rahman study?’ Don’t trust the words of those people. You haven’t listened to what I’m saying. If someone makes a film, they think they’re a great scholar and come offering advice. You don’t even understand what I’m saying. Who are you to stand on that stage and speak? You’ve directed a film and a director, that’s all. What’s the reason for that? Is it the education you received? What is the reason? You need to develop your individual talent. You don’t know what I’m saying. You don’t listen to the whole speech. They just hear a part, make a comment, and get applause,” Seeman said during a recent press meet.

Turning his attention to the DMK leadership, Seeman went on to question the educational background of key figures, including Chief Minister MK Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. Taking a jab at Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well, he added, “Okay, let’s talk about the educational qualifications of the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister. Look up the qualifications of Modi Sir, he just put behind him as M.A, tell me. Even brother Udhayanidhi speaks! ‘He studied with me as my classmates and became lawyer.’ He became lawyer by studying and I became the Deputy Chief Minister without studying.’ Isn’t that what he means by that?”

Seeman’s remarks reflect a deeper critique of the DMK’s attempts to use cultural events and celebrity endorsements to reinforce its narrative around education, particularly in the run-up to the 2026 Assembly elections. His comments also point to the recurring debate in Tamil Nadu politics over merit, education, and the use of popular platforms to push political messaging.

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Vijay’s TVK Exhibits Fascist Tendencies Even Before Fighting Elections, Files Complaint Against YouTuber For Criticizing His Party Cadres

By
The Commune
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vijay tvk sattai durai murugan

A complaint has been submitted on behalf of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) against YouTuber and Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) functionary Sattai Durai Murugan, following a controversial video in which he criticized actor-turned-politician Vijay, his supporters, and appeared to mock women who attended his political events.

Actor Vijay, who recently launched a public outreach campaign and has been holding meetings across Tamil Nadu every Saturday since his political debut rally in Trichy on 13 September, ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

In response to one of Durai Murugan’s videos which has since gone viral TVK functionary Imayathamizhan has lodged an online complaint with the National Commission for Women (NCW), alleging that the video contained demeaning and sexist remarks targeting women who participated in Vijay’s events. The complaint also calls for the video’s removal and demands appropriate action against Durai Murugan.

In the now-viral video, Sattai Durai Murugan appears to ridicule women emotionally reacting to Vijay’s presence at the campaign. He narrates how one girl cried after seeing Vijay, while another wept because she couldn’t. He further mentioned that the mother of one of the girls was also present at the rally.

Durai Murugan reportedly mocked these emotional displays, calling into question the seriousness of the campaign and its supporters. He also referred to an incident where a woman was supposedly crying after losing her mobile phone at the event, suggesting that the entire scene lacked political maturity and seriousness.

While claiming not to encourage personal insults or obscene speech about Vijay himself, Durai Murugan accused Vijay’s fan base of using vulgar and derogatory language against NTK leader Seeman, urging people to challenge such hypocrisy.

In another portion of the video, Durai Murugan allegedly derided the public contributions made to TVK, questioning the strength of the party’s grassroots support and mocking Vijay’s leadership by implying he would panic even at the sight of an oncoming car.

(With inputs from Daily Thanthi)

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“Women In North India Not Considered Equal Human Beings”: Says Congress Ally DMK’s Minister TRB Rajaa

By
The Commune
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trb rajaa

Tamil Nadu Industries Minister and DMK leader TRB Rajaa has sparked a political storm with remarks comparing the status of women in Tamil Nadu to those in other Indian states, particularly in North India.

Addressing an event at Ethiraj College for Women, Rajaa stated, “Don’t think that today, just because your parents are educating you, you are easily able to access education. In India, women did not get opportunities for education so easily. 100 years ago, there were unimaginable situations where women were not even considered equal human beings. This kind of situation exists in many parts of North India even now. You should be socially aware. Especially if you are a woman in India. There is a difference between being a woman in Tamil Nadu and in any other state in India. I will very very proudly say this. No other state is on par with Tamil Nadu in this regard. The situation remains unchanged in North India. Very simple question. In North India, when we meet a woman, the first question is, where does your husband work? In Tamil Nadu, the question asked of a woman is, where do you work? This change doesn’t happen overnight. It took a century of work, at least in Tamil Nadu.”

He argued that in Tamil Nadu, women are recognized and respected for their careers, whereas in many North Indian states, societal attitudes still focus primarily on a woman’s marital status.

TRB Rajaa’s comments were backed by DMK senior leader TKS Elangovan, who said, “Women in North India are often confined to being housewives because of religious practices. They follow Manusmriti, which we don’t. The DMK government has always worked to empower women.”

TRB Rajaa has a history of derogating and abusing North Indians. He has used the slur “Vadakkan”, called them “undemocratic” and has frequently made disparaging remarks about North Indians in speeches and social media posts, contrasting them unfavorably with Tamil Nadu and Tamil culture.

(With inputs from India Today)

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How Rajdeep Sardesai Whitewashed Dawood Ibrahim’s Crimes Against India

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The Commune
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rajdeep sardesai dawood ibrahim

Rajdeep Sardesai, one of India’s most prominent journalists, has repeatedly come under criticism for his coverage of some of the gravest attacks on India, particularly the 1993 Bombay blasts orchestrated by Dawood Ibrahim.

The 1993 serial bombings killed 275 innocent people and injured thousands, leaving Mumbai traumatized. Yet, in his commentary, Sardesai often shifted focus away from the perpetrators and the terror network, framing the narrative instead around communal dynamics and the psychology of Indian society.

Just after the blasts, Sardesai wrote an eloquent piece in Times of India back in 1993. He even wrote another piece sort of following up on the ’93 piece in 2013 in Hindustan Times.

Let’s understand the problem with both these articles.

Downplaying Dawood’s Role

Even though Dawood Ibrahim was already a prime suspect in the Bombay blasts, Sardesai emphasized that there was “no prima-facie evidence” implicating him and leaned heavily on the caveat offered by the Bombay Police Commissioner. By highlighting Dawood as a “mythical demon figure” in Hindu militant discourse rather than a criminal mastermind, Sardesai reframed the underworld don in less threatening terms.

In effect, he treated Dawood more as a controversial public figure in Hindu imagination than as a mastermind of a terrorist operation that caused massive loss of life in India. This approach inevitably diluted the perception of the 1993 blasts as a direct attack on India orchestrated by a foreign-backed criminal.

Shifting the Focus to Communal Victimhood

Instead of investigating the planning, financing, and ISI-Pakistan backing of the bombings, Sardesai pivoted the discussion to warning against stigmatizing the entire Muslim community.

He compared post-blast suspicion of Muslims to the treatment of Sikhs after 1984 or Marwaris in Assam, portraying the narrative more as a story of majoritarian hysteria than a matter of national security. While highlighting communal tensions is important, Sardesai’s emphasis came at the cost of underplaying the calculated, terrorist nature of the attack.

Reframing the Underworld as “Cosmopolitan”

Sardesai further argued that Dawood’s network was “cosmopolitan” and profit-driven, pointing out that several of Dawood’s top lieutenants, including Chhota Rajan, were Hindus. While technically true, this framing shifts focus away from the Islamist-terror link and Pakistani involvement, portraying Dawood less as a traitor working against India and more as a mere profiteering gangster.

Normalizing Muslim Alienation as the Root of Terror

Sardesai repeatedly contextualized terrorism as a reaction to Hindu-majority violence or state failure. For example, he linked Dawood’s transformation into an ISI-backed terrorist to the communal riots following the Babri Masjid demolition. Similarly, he drew analogies with the 1984 anti-Sikh pogroms and the 2002 Gujarat riots to argue that violence begets violence. While historical context is important, his narrative effectively justified Dawood’s terrorist actions as a sociological response rather than condemning them as crimes against India.

Praising or Defending Dawood?

Sardesai’s work sometimes borders on what critics describe as indirect defense. In the 2013 Hindustan Times article, he reminded readers that Dawood had once offered Toyota cars to the Indian cricket team in Sharjah if they beat Pakistan.

By portraying Dawood as a cricket fan and framing his actions as part of a broader “inconvenient truth” about riots and societal failures, Sardesai softened the image of India’s most wanted man. He questioned why Dawood became a terrorist, emphasizing the social and communal causes rather than the deliberate, planned betrayal of India orchestrated by Dawood and the ISI.

Selective Attention to Victims

In both the 1993 and 2013 writings, Sardesai highlighted victims of communal violence (1984 Sikhs, 2002 Muslims, Muzaffarnagar Muslims, Kashmiri Pandits) but largely ignored victims of Dawood-backed terrorism, such as the 275 people killed in the Bombay blasts. This selective framing centers on societal failings and communal stereotyping rather than addressing the deliberate targeting of Indian civilians by Dawood’s terror network.

Last Word

By downplaying Dawood’s criminality, reframing terrorism as a reaction to societal failures, and emphasizing communal victimhood, Rajdeep Sardesai’s coverage effectively whitewashed the 1993 Bombay blasts and other acts orchestrated by Dawood. While highlighting communal prejudice is valid, his approach shifts accountability from the perpetrators to Indian society, underplays the scale of terror, and at times even defends or praises Dawood indirectly.

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Anarchist Sonam Wangchuk Arrested After Deadly Leh Violence, Had Earlier Said “Sonam Wangchuk In Jail Will Be Equally, If Not More, Problematic”

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The Commune
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'Climate Activist' Sonam Wangchuk’s Hunger Strike Turns Violent, BJP Office, CRPF Vehicle Torched; Blames Gen-Z While Hiding HIAL Land Defaults leh violence ladakh protest arrest

Leh Police on Friday arrested Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk as violent protests over statehood and Sixth Schedule demands escalated in the region. The clashes have claimed at least four lives and left over 90 people injured, officials confirmed.

The protests, led jointly by Wangchuk, the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, centre on demands for full statehood for Ladakh and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule. To press these demands, Wangchuk began a hunger strike on 10 September 2025, which he ended on 24 September 2025 after 15 days, citing rising violence.

A day before his arrest, Wangchuk spoke to NDTV and said he had already prepared himself for detention. When asked about the possibility, he replied: “If for this cause I have to be arrested, I’m preparing for that. Looking forward to it. I don’t want to be in confusion, so I have made up my mind that I will be arrested.”

He further remarked that his imprisonment would create even greater challenges for the authorities than his presence at protests: “Sonam Wangchuk in jail will be equally, if not more, problematic as Sonam Wangchuk outside participating in dialogues and discussions. It will awaken people more about how this country is being run.”

Describing his past work, the activist noted his contributions to education, collaboration with the Indian defence forces in building solar-heated shelters, and his campaign against Chinese imports: “People who have given their lives for the education of the young, defence of the country, who have worked with the Indian defence forces to build them solar heated shelters, who has launched movements against China — the made-in-China boycott movement was launched by me. If such a person is jailed and corrupt people are freely roaming around, that will be a great scene for the nation to see and understand what’s happening in our country.”

Authorities have not yet issued a formal statement on Wangchuk’s arrest.

(With inputs from News18)

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DMK Govt’s “Special Arrangements” For Vijay’s Karur Rally Include Vivek-Style ‘Take Diversions’ Too!

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The Commune
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DMK Govt's "Special Arrangements" For Vijay's Karur Rally Include Vivek-Style 'Take Diversions' Too!

Ahead of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president and actor Vijay’s “Makkal Sandhippu” program in Karur, reports have emerged that the ruling DMK is executing a counterstrategy to reduce participation and weaken the impact of the event.

According to sources, DMK functionaries in Karur have begun distributing gifts such as mobile phones, T-shirts, and pants to lure TVK workers and supporters towards their side. The party is also planning to use traffic diversion measures (“take diversion as in the Vivek film”) to reroute vehicles carrying Vijay supporters into the city, thereby preventing large gatherings at his meetings.

Vijay’s state-wide outreach campaign, originally scheduled to conclude on 20 December 2025, has now been extended until 2 February 2026, due to what TVK alleges as delays in official permissions by the ruling party. His fiery speeches during the tour have drawn sharp reactions from ministers, creating a ripple effect within DMK circles.

As part of tomorrow’s Karur visit, Vijay is expected to address the public in multiple locations. However, DMK leaders, led by former minister V. Senthil Balaji, are determined to demonstrate Karur as a DMK stronghold. Recently, Balaji organized a massive DMK anniversary celebration in the district, projecting the region as the party’s fortress. Sources said he is now spearheading efforts to ensure Vijay’s event does not succeed.

TVK functionaries admitted they are struggling to counter the DMK’s strategy of offering material benefits to woo supporters. Reports indicate that DMK cadres have been instructed not to display TVK administrators’ names on banners, but only the district secretary’s photo, as part of internal campaign discipline.

For Vijay’s public meetings, TVK had shortlisted four venues in Karur viz, Karur Lighthouse Corner, Vengamedu MGR Statue, Erode Velusamipuram, and 80 Feet Road.

However, police authorities have only granted permission for one location, Velusamipuram citing security and logistical concerns.

In addition, roadworks within Karur city is reportedly being used as a pretext to divert traffic. Vehicles carrying Vijay supporters are expected to be redirected away from the main city routes using “take diversion” measures, limiting their ability to converge at the permitted venue.

Party insiders said these measures are part of DMK’s broader plan to undercut Vijay’s campaign momentum in Karur, where his growing popularity is seen as a direct challenge to the ruling party.

(With inputs from Dinamalar)

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Rabies Deaths Mount In Dravidian Tamil Nadu: 17-Year-Old Dies After Dog Bite Neglected

By
The Commune
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Rabies Cases On The Rise In Dravidian Model Tamil Nadu, Highest In 5 Years pitbull one health vaccination dog bite

A 17-year-old boy succumbed to rabies after failing to seek medical attention for a dog bite in Ramanathapuram district, highlighting growing concerns over the rising number of dog bite cases in the state.

The victim, identified as Raja Prakash, son of Ramanathan and a resident of Kuruvikaaran Street, Annanagar, worked at a local butcher shop. Officials reported that Raja was bitten by a stray dog nearly two months ago but neglected to get vaccinated or visit a hospital.

Within days, he began exhibiting unusual symptoms. His parents admitted him to Ramanathapuram Government Hospital, where doctors diagnosed rabies and referred him to Madurai Rajaji Government Hospital for advanced treatment. Despite medical intervention, Raja’s condition worsened, and he passed away on Wednesday night.

Raja’s body was returned to Ramanathapuram, where over 100 people attended his funeral. As a precaution, the district health department administered rabies vaccinations to all attendees.

This incident follows another recent rabies death in Tamil Nadu. Karunanidhi, 55, a construction worker from Varadalampattu village in Vellore district, died after being bitten by a stray dog on 5 September. Despite family advice, he ignored the wound. Admitted to Adukkamparai Government Hospital on 21 September 2025, he passed away on 23 September 2025.

Data from the Department of Public Health and Disease Prevention indicates a concerning trend. In 2021, over 3.19 lakh people were bitten by dogs, resulting in 19 rabies deaths. The numbers rose to 3.64 lakh bites with 28 deaths in 2022 and 4.41 lakh bites with 18 deaths in 2023. In 2025 alone, more than 3.6 lakh dog bites have been reported, with 22 deaths so far.

Health experts caution that untreated dog bites or incomplete vaccination can be fatal. Rabies symptoms typically appear within three weeks to three months and may include difficulty breathing, fear of water and light, memory loss, and sensitivity to wind.

Authorities are urging citizens to immediately seek medical care and complete post-exposure vaccination if bitten by a dog.

(With inputs from ETV Bharat)

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